Senate Athletics Committee Meeting

September 17, 2015

Elected Members: Present

X Katelyn Allison

X Jacques Bromberg

X Nancy Burkoff

X Mike-Frank Epitropoulos

X Susanne Gollin

X Jay Irrgang (Co-Chair)

X Kevin McLaughlin (Co-Chair)

X Elizabeth (Betsy) Nagle

X Carma Sprowls-Repcheck

Student Representatives:

X Julia Helgert

Jack Heidecker

X Yolandi Van der Merwe

Staff Association

Member:

X Barbara Mowery

Pro-Tem Members:

Timothy Averch

X Dan Bartholomae

Dave Brienza

X Toby Chapman

X Tony Eichelberger

Lou Fabian

Nancy Glynn

Jeanann Croft Haas

Nathan Hershey

Don Martin

Ken Metz

X Wendy Meyers

X Donna Nativio

X Leonard Plotnicov

X Zac Saunders

Patrick Smolinski

Chancellor’s Liaison

Appointments:

X Susan Albrecht

X David DeJong

X Scott Barnes

Senate Liaison

Appointments:

Susan Skledar

Michael Spring

Lori Molinaro

Jay Irrgang and Kevin McLaughlin called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Irrgang

provided the group an overview of the committee and then introduced Scott Barnes, Athletic

Director.

Introduction and Athletic Department Update

Scott Barnes started his comments by providing the committee an overview of his personal and

professional background. Barnes noted his excitement about coming to Pitt and provided an

overview of the Fall sport programs. Barnes discussed his philosophy as the athletic director and

provided an overview on a number of topics which included: Department SWOT analysis and

outcomes, gap analysis, organizational analysis, strategic planning process, branding, fan

experience committee, enhancing the student-athlete experience, and improvements with

communication and fundraising.

Mr. Barnes provided the group an overview of some of the national issues with respect to the

changing landscape of college athletics, particularly at the Autonomy Conference level. Barnes

also mentioned the significance of the pending NCAA lawsuits and briefly discussed the

governance changes at the NCAA. Mr. Barnes expressed his commitment to excellence and

integrity, and his eagerness to advance the athletic department to the next level. Mr. Barnes

thanked the committee for their work and commitment to the student-athletes.

Irrgang thanked Barnes and then introduced Dan Bartholomae, Executive Associate Athletic

Director for Compliance & Administration.

Update – Cost of Attendance Implementation

Dan Bartholomae started his comments by providing the group an update on a new NCAA

legislative item (i.e., cost-of-attendance allowance) effective for the Fall 2015 that changed the

definition of an athletics scholarship. Mr. Bartholomae provided the group a refresher on the

cost-of-attendance legislation involving the change to the athletic scholarship that was discussed

in a previous Senate Athletics Committee meeting in the Spring of 2015. Mr. Bartholomae

shared with the group some visual examples that demonstrated the changes with respect to the

athletics scholarship at Pitt. Mr. Bartholomae discussed the significance of this legislative

change and Pitt’s planning efforts for implementation. Mr. Bartholomae mentioned the cost-of-

attendance implementation committee that included the Faculty Athletics Representative, Pitt

Athletics staff, members of the University Financial Aid and Internal Audit units, and expressed

his thanks for their work and planning. Mr. Bartholomae concluded his comments with an

overview of the Autonomy legislative process within the NCAA structure.

Irrgang and McLaughlin thanked Bartholomae for his update. Irrgang adjourned the meeting at

11:56 am.